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As the leader in big tent sales naturally we get a lot of questions about tents. Questions such as: what is a dome tent? Is an air dome really still a tent? What is the difference between a pole tent and a high top frame tent? What is a clear span tent? What are the differences between clear span tents and frame tents? Is there any way to get that damned pole out of the way in the center of your pole tent? (Yes, but remember to duck first!) To answer these questions we have assembled this page which hopefully enlightens you so that you can make better more informed decisions about your tent rental or tent purchase plans.
Pole tents are the classic tents that you see in circuses everywhere and with good reasons. Pole tents are cheaper to produce than other types of tents. Pole tents are also easier to put up than other types of tents. The Ringling Brothers Circus crews used to amaze spectators with the speed in which they could right the "Big Top" at every venue. Pole tents are very resistant to wind gusts with the triangulation formed by the the support ropes and their relationship to the center support poles. When you combine this with the aerodynamic shape of the pole tent structure you have a big tent that looks great because it is held tight and wrinkle free and the giant poles give it a sort of castle look. Pole tents make great tents for equestrian use as you can put a ring around the center pole with a rope tied to it and you have an excellent walking area for horses. Pole tents are also great for wedding receptions because of their classic design and just the sheer beauty of their appearance.
A frame tent is a tent which is constructed with a metal perimeter frame that uses has no vertical center poles. Frame tents offer a clear span in the center but are not actually considered clear span tents. (This is explained in the next section). Most of the frame tents we sell are equipped with a double frame pole system for the roof support poles. infinite decorating and layout possibilities. This self-supporting structure is great for situations like decks, driveways, and parking lots that cannot accommodate stakes. Marquee tents are good for "hallway" type shelters that define entrances and protect traffic from a tent to another tent or building. SIDEWALLS and pole curtains are additional. Please see tent accessories page for more options. Keder frame tents are a special design which the fabric is inserted between a metal rail system which makes the fabric extremely tight, in comparison to laying fabric over the frame. (Available only in the 30 x 30, 30 x 45, and the 30 x 60 sizes. The tents will not "flap around" in windy conditions.) Picture shown is with optional leg curtains.
Clear span tents are tents which use an aluminum frame structure to form the perimeter frame and roof of the tent and provide the tent with it's strength without using poles in the center of the tent. This design allows the center of the tent, ("span") to be clear of obstructions. This "clear span" design allows all of the space within the tent to be usable for your needs. Clear span tents are designed to make it easy to adapt lighting and tent liners along with sidewalls and air condition and heaters. Clear span tents can be left up for long periods of time and the clear span tent design is popular for flea markets, car dealers, art shows, equestrian events and other events where a large unobstructed inner space is needed. Clear span tents must be professionally installed so that the perimeter frame is secure enough and sturdy enough to support the clear span of the tent.
Inflatable Air Dome TentsInflatable air domes are great when you need a more permanent structure but you don't want to actually go though the expense of constructing a building. Popular uses of inflatable air dome structures are football and soccer practice stadiums. The dome keeps the weather out and also allows you to practice without having prying eyes to watch you. (I was surprised when I first found out that sports teams had to enclose their teams in domes during practice to keep other teams from cheating but it is true)!
A-Frame Tent: A-frame are tents that have a peaked roof and sloping sides, they are light weight but they are not that roomy as their sloping sides limit interior space.
Base Camp Tent: A large Camping type tent which is usually used in situations where camps are established once for many days at a site. These type of tents are commonly set up at the base of large mountains so that climbers leave on their journey prepared to go from the base to the top of the mountain. (Hence their name base tent).
Bivy Sack: A small, lightweight shelter type "sack type tent" with no poles that is just large enough to hold a sleeping bag.
Center Pole: The main support pole of a pole tent. These can be solid or telescopic poles which are usually made of wood or metal and are used to support the center and highest part of a tent which is called the tent "peak".
Clear Span Structure Tent: A "structure type" tent which utilizes an aluminum structure type of frame support, (as opposed to most tents which are constructed of poles) The structure type design eliminates the need for center pole support much like a frame tent does but because of the structure frame system and it's inherent stability and strength and the fact that they generally all use a much more durable type and thickness of canvas clear span structure tents are much more stable and wind resistant and they actually a structure that can stand for long rental periods.
Concrete Anchor System: A 2-piece combination consisting of an eyebolt and a lag anchor. A hole is drilled and the lag anchor is set into existing concrete to tie guy ropes off. The eyebolt is removed after use and replaced with a cap plug flush with concrete so that the anchor system can be reused at a later time. This allows you to set up tents on concrete surfaces without having the expense and wasted
Convertible Tent: A convertible tent provides the flexibility of using the same tent as a three- season tent and also as a four-season or winter tents.
Dome Tent: A dome shaped tent with two or more poles looping over the tent in a crisscross fashion.
Double Decker Tent: Modular interior walls allow you to divide into private areas. Available in a A frame or curved, this structure is virtually available in all sizes (as small as 10 meters or as large as 30 meters).
End Sections: The initial set of sections to form the tent roof. Center sections may be added to increase the length. The ends of the tent are normally either Gable style or Hip End style.
Fiberglass Pole: A pole that comes in various lengths and diameters to match fabrication of each tent.
Fire Retardant: Treatment of tent fabric with fire retardant to reduce the risk of ignition in case it gets accidentally ignited, giving the habitants of the tent, more time to escape safely if a fire accident should occur.
Flysheet: A rain-proofed outer fabric of a tent, which is proofed on the inside with a coating. The fly takes the most wear & tear from UV, wind, tree sap and storms etc.
Flameproof: A material used to retard the flammability of tent and wall materials.
Floor: A temporary deck built of wood and covered with Astroturf or carpet that helps alleviate inclement weather (rain drainage, cold, etc.). It also makes the surface more uniform, negating trip hazards and stabilizing seating.
Frame Tent: A professionally installed tent made of flame retardant vinyl covering that has a metal frame with no center poles.
Free Standing Frame: A tent with no additional ropes or stakes for basic shelter set-up.
Gable Ends: This is a design for the end of the tent which appears flat at the ends
Gear Loft: A piece of material or netting that dangles from the ceiling of a tent. A gear loft is a safe place here one can keep wallets, flashlights, watches, or any other small items.
Grommet: A little round metal ring. Grommets assists the tent in durable, fast set-ups, and easier adjustments when temperatures change fabric and pole lengths.
Guy Ropes/Straps: Ropes or straps with ratchets, that extend from the eaves of a tent to each side pole and then to anchors in the ground, providing support for the roof. Straps/ratchets are commonly used on larger tents. The guy rope helps support the tent against wind.
Hip End: A design for the end of the tent which appears pyramid shaped instead of flat at the ends. Hip End tents are more wide resistant than gable ends but require more planning to add length to the tent.
Liners & Leg Drapes: An interior fabric used to mask the structural support of pole and frame tents, while still giving it warmth and ambiance.
Marquee: A long, narrow tent structure used mainly for sheltering walkways or defining an entry to a tent.
Party Canopy: A lightweight overhead shelter for sun or light rain, usually an inexpensive rental that customers erect and take down themselves. Includes one or more center poles.
Pitch: The slope of the roof of a tent resulting from the difference in height between the highest point and the perimeter height.
Pole Tent: A heavy duty tension tent made of flame retardant vinyl supported by poles around the perimeter and in the center. Anchoring/staking is critical to insure proper installation. Pole tents must be installed by professionals and will shelter against most bad weather.
Pop-up Canopy: A small, lightweight, collapsible frame canopy with a fabric covering. Provides shelter and protection from light rain and usually provided as a do-it-yourself rental tent which may be erected and removed quickly.
Porta Path: This type of flooring must be installed on a hard, stable surface since it does not work on thick spongy grass or loose rocks. Porta Path is a three quarter inch resin surface that rolls out and locks together to form a floor. It can be conformed to fit most rectangular and square areas.
Rainfly: Rainfly is a water-resistant fabric covering which is usually placed over the outside of a tent to keep out wind, rain, and sand. It protects the tent body from UV rays and precipitation. In most if the tent designs, the rainfly is removable.
Scaffold Floors: Typically used for sloping areas or surfaces that are not level. They can also be used to bring an area up to the height of another surface such as a porch or deck.
Seam Sealant: A waterproof coating of the sewn seam areas on tents, backpacks, and other combined outdoor fabrics, to decrease water entry.
Side Pole: The support poles placed around the perimeter of a tent.
Sidewalls: Detachable vinyl walls used to enclose the sides of a tent. Side wall is available in clear, window, and solid white for tents at an 8 foot eave heights and clear and solid white for 10 foot eave heights.
Stakes: Hardened steel rods ranging from 10" to 42 in length and approximately 1" in diameter driven into the ground used to secure the guy ropes or straps. Stakes can be driven into dirt, grass, gravel, or asphalt surfaces, but not concrete. If stakes are driven into asphalt surfaces, a cold patch will be used to repair the holes left after the stakes are removed. All underground utilities need to be clearly marked prior to driving stakes.
Sub Floor with Carpet: This type of flooring is to be considered when your surface is fairly level. This lay down floor consists of 2" x 6" boards generally 16 feet in length placed on 2 foot centers. Three quarter inch plywood is placed on top of the boards and then screws are used to secure.
Tent: A collapsible portable shelter of fabric (as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as a temporary building. Tension tent tops are available in sizes up to 165 feet wide. Any length is possible as we have tents that are a quarter of a mile long.
Tension Tent: These tents are attached to the ground using either a concrete anchor system or 42 inch steel stakes which are then attached to nylon webbing, with the use of ratchet straps the tent becomes very tight. It is this taughtness that creates the shape of the tent.
Tent Clips: Clips that attach the tent top to the poles. These clips can allow for slightly quicker set up.
Valance: Vinyl material permanently attached to the outer perimeter of tent. It usually hangs down approximately 10"-12" and can be straight or scalloped. Gives the tent a finished look and helps seal sidewall against rain or wind.
Vestibule: A tent feature that provides a covered area for entering or exiting the tent and can also be used for gear storage.
Weights: Sometimes used in areas where stakes are not applicable, however stakes are the safest and most desirable way to secure a tent.
Tent Accessories: Tents need to be lit up. powered, heated and cooled, many need bleachers or stages and lighting. Most tents are rented or purchase with a purpose or an event in mind and we have the accessories to complete your needs. Please consult your Bigtentsanddomes.com salesperson or Partyequipmentforrent.com rental professional for the specific products and services available to help make your "Tent Event" a complete success.
Water Barrels: Large barrels, (usually 30- 50 gallons) which are filled with water after placement and are used as weights to secure the tent when the tent is placed on concrete or asphalt surfaces and other methods of securing the the tent to the ground are not convenient. The tent is then tied to the water barrels the same as it would normally tie to stakes or to tent weights. (Though water weighs approximately 7 lbs per gallon stakes or concrete anchors are still the preferred method to secure the tent).